Opal Group SpArc 2020
Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
March 8, 2020 - March 10, 2020
At Opal Group, we are paying close attention to the new developments of COVID-19. Our scheduled event will move forward as usual. Preventive measures will be taken very seriously. Hand sanitizers and reminders about healthy traveler practices will be set throughout the event. We will work with the hotel to make environmental cleaning a top priority.
An Exclusive Event for Senior Specifiers & Architects
Opal Group SpArc is an invitation-only Summit that brings together the heads of specifications and architects from the most active firms in the US. This event is focused on real-world experiences, professional insights and genuine dialog with an emphasis on the industry’s top challenges.
Set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, we are sure the three days spent at this year’s Summit will provide you invaluable information and the necessary resources to enhance your specification writing.
We believe in creating a memorable, collaborative and effective experiences focused on continuous improvement for Spec Writers and Architects. Sit down with your peers in an intimate setting and learn new ideas. Explore what true collaboration really is about.
For a more detailed agenda, please contact summits@opalgroup.net.
Current as of March 3, 2020
| 2:00pm |
Registration |
| 3:00pm |
Explore Asheville |
| 5:30pm |
Welcome Cocktail Reception |
| 6:30pm |
Designing Intelligent Buildings and Cities Stefan Al, Senior Associate Principal, KPF |
| 7:30pm |
Dinner Reception |
| 7:15am |
Breakfast & Itinerary Pick-Up |
| 8:00am |
Five Essentials for Better Project Delivery Michael Czap, Project Executive, The Beck Group Greg Buchanan, Technical Director, Gensler |
| 8:50am |
One-on-One Meetings |
| 10:40am |
Michael Kostow, Founding Principal, Kostow Greenwood Architects Blake Jackson, Sustainability Design Leader – US North East, Associate, Stantec Architecture |
| 11:35am |
One-on-One Meetings |
| 12:35pm |
Luncheon |
| 1:25pm |
Thomas C. Berger, Managing Principal, Building Envelope Consultant, Specifier, Forensics Consultant, dtr Consulting Services James Sandoz, Senior Specification Writer, HOK |
| 2:10pm |
One-on-One Meetings |
| 3:45pm |
Design Build and Specifications Jay Whisenant, Vice President, Specifications Lead West, CannonDesign |
| 4:35pm |
One-on-One Meetings |
| 6:30pm |
Dinner Reception |
| 7:30am |
Breakfast |
| 8:00am |
Construction Administration Chip Hayward, Senior Associate/Senior Architect, Michael Baker International Donald Koppy, Project Director, Architecture, Atkins Clifford Marvin, Architectural Specifications Writer, Katerra |
| 9:05am |
One-on-One Meetings |
| 11:10am |
Roundtables |
| 12:00pm |
Closing Lunch |
Opal Group SpArc is an invitation-only meeting for the heads of specifications and design from the most active architecture firms in the country. Registrations are complimentary for qualified participants and include 2 nights of accommodations, meals, networking functions and access to all conference sessions. Manufacturers are able to attend through sponsorship with a limit of two companies per category.
- Rising Costs for Labor/Construction
- Compression of Projects Timeline
- Clients Who Value “Value” and not just “Cost”
- Inter Discipline Coordination
- Emerging Professional Training
- Retaining Staff
- Quality Control
- Computer/Technology Upgrades
- Project Delivery Process
- How Firms are Successful in Their Operations
- Training of Staff in the Latest Technologies
- Staying up with the Latest Technologies
- Dissemination of Knowledge Amount Hundreds of Staff
- Ever-increasing Complexity of Building Science
- Translating Owner Desires into Project Objectives
- Managing Construction Cost Outcomes
- Training New Talent
- How Architects Can Better Collaborate with Other Design Professions
- How to Manage Client Expectations Regarding Design Assist
Prescheduled One-to-One Meetings:
Each participating solution provider and attendees will have pre-summit access to our matching software that allows you to completely customize your meeting agenda. The password protected website provides the information needed to make your selections on who you want to meet with.Exceptional Networking Opportunities
We strive to maximize your face-to-face time by providing a multitude of avenues that are engaging and informative. The agenda incorporates cocktail receptions, networking lunches and a specially selected offsite dinner at a nearby venue. Opportunities are endless in Las Vegas with a wide variety of nearby activities to continue your networking and build strong personal relationships with current and future partners. We’ll provide a list of our recommendations for pre and post conference activities a few weeks prior to the Summit.
Attendee projects fall in the following categories:
- Aviation
- Commercial
- Federal/State/Municipal Government
- Education
- Entertainment/Leisure
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Industrial
- International
- Manufacturing
- Multi-Family
- Museum/Cultural
- Religious
- Research/Laboratories
- Retail
- Sports/Recreation
